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Prosecutors: Man plotted to kill witnesses in his trial

MARTINEZ, Calif. -- A Northern California man awaiting trial for insurance fraud has been charged with plotting to kill nine witnesses set to testify against him.

Contra Costa County prosecutors say a grand jury on Friday indicted Charles Waldo, of Pittsburg, after he allegedly conspired with other inmates to arrange the killing of the witnesses.

Prosecutors say investigators found a hit list that included the witnesses' names, in what order they were to be killed, and suggestions to kill them in car crashes, with drug overdoses and in robberies "gone bad."

District Attorney Mark Peterson says the alleged plot was uncovered when one of the witnesses learned a "hit" had been put on him.

A lawyer for the 37-year-old Waldo could not be immediately located.

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